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Replacing Trolling Motor – Lowrance Recon vs. Minn Kota Quest

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1.2K views 7 replies 4 participants last post by  cgerace19  
R
#1 ·
Hey everyone,

I’m in the market to replace my trolling motor and trying to decide between the Lowrance Recon Saltwater and the Minn Kota Terrova Quest. I’ve always run Minn Kota (currently using a Riptide Terrova), but I’m open to making the switch.

A few details:
  • I’m already running Lowrance fish finders, but they’re not the latest models so to my knowledge they won’t network with the new Lowrance trolling motors anyway, that being said eventually I’ll upgrade my equipment to new Lowrance or hummingbird.
  • My main concern is how to run my front deck transducer cable. On my current setup, the cable is run cleanly up the shaft of the Riptide, but I’ve heard that neither the new Recon nor the Quest allows for an internal or shaft-run transducer setup unless you’re using their built-in models. Which are both freshwater. Is freshwater a bad option? If I fish 50 times a year maybe 2 times are salt.

Has anyone figured out a clean, secure way to mount and route a standard transducer cable with either of these newer models? I want to avoid something that’s going to get snagged, pinched, or beat up while fishing or stowing.

Any real-world insight on:
  • Transducer routing solutions for either motor
  • Pros/cons between the Recon and the Quest (especially saltwater performance)
  • Any regrets going one direction or the other

Thanks in advance — I’d love to hear from folks who’ve been hands-on with either model.
 
G
#2 ·
First the Minn Kota saltwater and freshwater are different motors. Not just the paint.
I thought they were the same except for the paint. I just purchased the Minn Kota Terrova after having
a Rip Tide saltwater. You can see its not all stainless steel. The pins etc.
I called minn Kota. Use the Non-saltwater terrova in freshwater. Voids the 3yr warranty.
By the time this thing rusts, it will be out of warranty anyway.
I got a steal for $1800+ at bass pro about 3 months ago. The rip tide was 2800 and no transducer built in or foot control included.
Its a Terrova 24VDC - 80#
I wanted the new DRIFT mode. A true game changer for the fishing I do.
I also fish saltwater about 2% of the time since I live up here in the Woodlands.
I will spray with silicone after every trip what the heck.
I do wish I purchased the Guest and spent the money.
Warning - These motors do not have the lift assist mechanism anymore. They stated it was removed due to safety.
The weight of the Terrova without it isn''t bad. I hear the quest without it is very heavy to deploy and pick up.
 
C
#8 ·
Fair. Not intending this to turn into an argument. I have just talked to guys including a pro rigging shop for freshwater and it seems the freshwater guys love hummingbird because they interface with the minn kota and were the first to do it. Trolling motor can track contour lines on a lake and keep the boat in depth range selected. Garmin’s live scope seems to be the preferred livescope.

But with the new trolling motors, many are likely in the game to do the same.

It’s like the Chevy Ford debate.
 
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